Device to open containers



Feb. 17, 1948. I E. B. WHITE 2,436,133

' DEVICE TO OPEN CONTAINERS Filed'Dec. 28, 1945 Patented Feb. 17, i948 UNITED STATES *PATENT, OFFICE 2,436,133 DEVICE To ornn co'n'mmans Edmund B. White, Quincy, Mass.

This invention relates to a device to open containers.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a new device to open cans that has a combined thumb rest and pressure member that aids in cutting away part of an enclosed container to open it.

Another object is to provide a channel guide in the supporting lever of my device which channel guide is formed near one end of said blade and forward of said pressure member. In the cutting operation said pressure member functions in coordination with said channeled guide memher to provide the user with a safe and effective means of pressing downwardly while the blade is automatically guided by said channel following along the rim of the container.

Still another object is to provide a cover lifter at the end of said lever which is adapted to be operated in coordination with said pressure member when the latter serves as a base and fulcrum as it rests on the container cover during the lifting operation.

The foregoing and other objects which will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, may be accomplished by a construction, combination and arrangement of parts, such as is disclosed by the drawings and specification. The nature of the invention is such as to render it susceptible to various changes and modifications, and,'therefore, I am not to be limited to said disclosure; but am entitled to all such changes therefrom as fall within the scope of my claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of my device.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view thereof shown in position to lift a cover ofi? a. container.

Figure 3 is a front end elevational view thereof.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing my device in position cutting open a can.

As illustrated, my device has a supporting lever l2 having a tool supporting portion [2a at the front. A handle H is attached to its rear end portion. Attached to said lever l2 at one side is a cutting blade l6 having an anchoring portion Ilia tightly fastened to said lever l2 by rivets l8. Said blade It has a sharpened edge portion Nib.

Pivotally attached by a said rivet iii to a side opposite the first-mentioned side of saidsupporting lever I2 is a pressure or bearing member 22 having an anchoring portion 22a pivoted as aforesaid anda thumb or pressure portion 2211 at a right angle: thereto. This pressure portion 22b extends laterally Application December 28, misgseria i No. 637,577 3 Claims. (c1. 30-22 )v 2 of said cutting blade IE, but on the same side of said lever l2. Extending laterally opposite to and integral with said thumb portion 2212 are two arm portions 22c between which is an opening 22d which is the size of said anchoring portion 22a, since the latter was cut out from where said opening 22d is.

At the front end portion of the said supporting portion I 2a of said lever I2 is a twisted portion 24. This twist, which is approximately 90 degrees, distorts said lever front end portion so that the broad or side face of said lever l2 forms the front of said lever. Said lever front portion is also bent to form a lifter portion 26 which extends preferably at a little less than a right angle to the adjoining part of said supporting portion I211, said angle being at approximately degrees thereto. This lifter portion 26 terminates in a hook 21 which is used in the operation of lifting a cap or cover from a jar or bottle. Said twisted portion 24 is formed so as to provide a groove or channel 30 into which extends the rim R of the can C during the cutting operation. It is bound by a guiding wall 30a at an outside edge as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings.

In cutting the cover off a can said cutting blade l6 penetrates th cover as shown in Figure 4 of the drawings, and with the channeled portion 30 sliding upon the outside rim R of said can 0 said blade I6 is forced around the outside portion of said cover while the thumb of the operator rests upon and presses said thumb portion 2212. Since my device is preferably held slanting outwardly the pressure on said thumb portion 22b, because it is located off center, aids in maintaining my device in the most effective cutting position.

To pry or lift a cover off a container said pressure member 22 is laid flat on the cover, thereby serving as a fulcrum and base, and the hook 21 extends just under the rim of said cover. Then by forcing said handle H downwardly the cover is pried off the container. It will thus be seen that my device can serve as a cover lifter as well as a can opening device.

WhatIclaim is:

1. A device of the class described comprising a lever, a blade attached thereto and extending along one side of said lever, and a pressure member attached to and extending along the other side of said lever and being rearwardly of said blade, said pressure member having a laterally extending portion, the front portion of said lever having an angular twist therein, a portion of said lever beyond said twist being bent away from said blade to form a guiding wall for the latter in cutting a container open.

2. A device of the class described comprising a lever, a blade attached thereto and extending along one side of said lever, and a pressure mem ber movably attached to and extending along the other side of said lever and being rearwardly of said blade, said pressure member having a laterally extending portion and being so located with respect" to said leverthat it may slant rearwardly and bear on said lever, the front portion of said lever having an angular twist therein, a

portion of said lever beyond said twist being bent away from said blade to form a guiding wall for the latter in cutting a container open.

3. A device of the class described comprising a lever, a blade attached thereto and; extending,

along one side of said lever, and a pressure member pivotally attached to and extending along the other side of said lever and being rearwardly 4 of said blade, said pressure member embodying a thumb-bearing, laterally extending portion on the same side of said lever as said blade, the front portion of said lever having an angular twist therein, a portion of said lever beyond said twist being bent away from said blade to form a guiding wall for the latter in cutting a container open.

EDMUND B, WHITE.

REFERENCES orrE-n The following references are of record in the fil'e of this patent:

UNlTED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,096,602 Coles May 12, 1914 922,702 Jopson May 25, 1909 D126,'898 White Apr. 29, 1941 

